Context is Everything: Set the Scene

AI models perform significantly better when they understand the context and background of your request. Think of context as setting the stage for success.

Why Context Matters

Without context, AI models have to guess:

• What industry or field you're working in
• What level of expertise you have
• What constraints or requirements exist
• What the end goal or purpose is

The Context Framework

Use this simple framework to provide effective context:

1. Role/Perspective

Tell the AI what role to take or what perspective to consider.

Examples:

• "As a marketing manager for a SaaS company..."
• "From the perspective of a beginner programmer..."
• "Acting as a financial advisor..."

2. Situation/Background

Explain the current situation or relevant background.

Examples:

• "Our startup just launched and we have limited budget..."
• "I'm preparing for a job interview at a tech company..."
• "Our team is struggling with remote collaboration..."

3. Goal/Outcome

Clarify what you're trying to achieve.

Examples:

• "...to increase user engagement by 20%"
• "...to make a strong first impression"
• "...to improve our team's productivity"

Before and After Examples

Example 1: Business Advice

Without context:

How do I improve my marketing?

With context:

I'm a marketing manager for a B2B SaaS company with 50 employees. 
We've been in business for 2 years and our current customer acquisition 
cost is too high at $500 per customer. Our target customers are small 
business owners who need project management solutions. How can I improve 
our marketing to reduce acquisition costs while maintaining quality leads?

Example 2: Technical Help

Without context:

Fix this code error

With context:

I'm a junior developer working on a React e-commerce app. I'm getting 
a "Cannot read property 'map' of undefined" error when trying to display 
a list of products. This is for a product catalog page that should show 
items from our API. I'm relatively new to React and would appreciate 
an explanation along with the solution.

Context Checklist

Before submitting your prompt, include:

• Your role or expertise level
• Relevant background information
• Current situation or challenge
• Specific constraints (time, budget, resources)
• Target audience (if applicable)
• Desired outcome or goal
• Any relevant industry or domain specifics

Common Context Mistakes

Too Much Context

Don't overwhelm with irrelevant details. Focus on information that directly impacts the response you need.

Avoid:

I'm 35 years old, live in California, have two cats, work at a company 
that was founded in 1995, my office has blue walls, and I need help 
with email marketing...

Too Little Context

Don't assume the AI knows your specific situation.

Avoid:

Make this better

Wrong Context

Make sure your context is relevant to your request.

Pro Tips

1. Start broad, then narrow: Begin with general context, then get specific
2. Use analogies: If your situation is unique, compare it to something more common
3. Specify expertise level: Always mention if you're a beginner, intermediate, or expert
4. Include constraints: Budget, time, team size, etc. all matter

Remember: The AI wants to help you succeed, but it needs to understand your world first!